Buurtwonen

Most older people would like to stay in their own home and neighborhood for as long as they can. Buurtwonen (neighborhood living) makes that possible with small housing projects of ten to twenty-five accessible rental homes, built in the middle of an existing neighborhood. In the words of Buurtzorg founder Jos de Blok, who introduced the idea: if people cannot stay in their homes, the housing is brought to them.

How it works

• Residents live independently, around a shared garden and a common room that is also open to neighbors.
• Residents, neighbors, family and volunteers help each other first; professional care comes in when it is needed.
• The local Buurtzorg and Buurtdiensten teams are the connecting link. Buurtzorg teams also help decide who comes to live there, looking for a good mix of residents who can support one another.
• The homes are built to be sustainable, in timber and largely in the factory, so the concept can be repeated in many places.

First homes in Joure

Buurtwonen was developed by Buurtzorg together with timber builder De Groot Vroomshoop and Achmea Real Estate. The first project, in Joure in Friesland, has 25 apartments on the site of a former school; the first residents received their keys in March 2026. Projects in Vlissingen, Empel and Arnhem are in development, and the partners aim for some 25 locations across the Netherlands.

Sources

• buurtwonen.nl (in Dutch)
• Binnenlands Bestuur, Geschikt woonconcept kan vraag naar ouderenzorg verminderen (in Dutch)
• LVGO, Schaalbaar en circulair woonconcept voor ouderen (in Dutch)
• Seniorenjournaal, Eerste complex Buurtwonen bijna klaar (in Dutch)